[Report This]Date: 03 Feb 2021 15:16 Title: Part III - The Olive Branch: 3
A case in point why the US requires all officers to complete a bacheors program with science and logic requirements. Officers have to be able to spot logical fallacies - including the hasty generaization, slippery slope and sunk costs arguments Lam is offering. Of course completing such an education is no guarantee of a firm grounding in logic. There is also one non-college route - enlisted personnel entering Officer Candidate School after 4 years of NCO service.
Glad to see these fallacies being explored here. They are not just relevant, but timeless as these are some of the most basic methods we have for fooling ourselves.
Good character development on Wasco as well.
Thanks! rbs
Author's Response: I'm not going to speculate as to Lam's background or if he's a graduate of the Marines Command School on Andoria (as referred to previously in Star Eagle) or if he's a mustang officers having worked himself through the enlisted ranks. Regardless, I'd like to think that Starfleet and Marines officers and enlisted personnel enjoy a well-rounded education in more than just military tactics. But sometimes, I think, hubris and misplaced loyalty can get in the way of all that. Very much the theme of this story.
Date: 10 Dec 2014 23:08 Title: Part III - The Olive Branch: 3
Lam’s point of view might be true but for several facts – the Annexation of Bajor was ratified by the Bajoran Occupational Government that made a succession of dubious moves. The Valerians has had their neutral status for quite a long time and Cardassia is interested in keeping them as a neural trade ally rather than invading them. What is more, after the war Cardassia is controlled by Federation peacekeepers that guard the pro-Federation government. Cardassia does not have either the motive or the means to turn the Valerian conflict into a colonial or annexation campaign.
Author's Response: Excellent points, all of them. Lam would probably argue that Gul Metral won't care about any of those things. He is here now and he's got an army at his back while Starfleet's only interest seems to be getting its army home. That perhaps there is still glory to be had for Cardassia. Of course we haven't really met Metral yet, so we don't really know what the man's thinking.
Date: 09 Dec 2014 07:34 Title: Part III - The Olive Branch: 3
Lam appears to no longer be able to see the forest for the trees. His inability to let go of his fear and mistrust of the Cardassians is going to get a lot more people killed unnecessarily. There's a confrontation coming between he and Owens, and I'm not sure the captain can win such a contest without Eagle overhead to back his play.
Author's Response: A confrontation? I can't believe you've already ruled out a peaceful resolution to all this. I mean you never know when common decency and rational minds will prevail over ... okay, never mind.